Load equalizing device



p 1953 M. s. DE LAY Re. 23,704

} LOAD EQUALIZING DEVICE f j INVENTOR. 2T Q" 5 H Manfor'a. 0640 n. m 9: 3 1 I Sept. 1, 1953 M. 5. DE LAY LOAD EQUALIZING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 14, 1950 gnm'mn gunman" INVENTOR. Mahford 5. De L cry TURN EY Reissued Sept. 1, 1953 LOAD EQUALIZIN G DEVICE Manford S. De Lay, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to De Lay Industries, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.

Original No. 2,589,678, dated March 18, 1952, Serial No. 200,829, December 14, 1950. Application for reissue August 13, 1952, Serial No.

8 Claims.

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets I: 1 appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to a load equalizing device for use on tractors or trailers carrying heavy loads.

An object of the invention is the provision of a load equalizer in which a fifth wheel mounting is shifted forwardly or rearwardly to cause more of the load to be supported by the front or rear wheels respectively of a truck pulling semitrailers.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a load equalizer in which an auxiliary frame is mounted adjustably on a main frame attached to the trailer body, said auxiliary frame being supported by springs and at least one axle with torque arms controlling in a definite manner, the movement of the springs and axle, fluid pressure actuated pins retaining the auxiliary frame in predetermined positions on the main frame with fluid actuated means separating the frame sufficiently for adjustment.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a load equalizer in which a plurality of means is employed for shifting the fifth wheel mounting of a tractor or an auxiliary frame rela tive to a main frame of a semi-trailer for varying the load applied to the front or rear wheels of the tractor or for varying the load applied to the tractor by the trailer, the auxiliary frame attached to the fifth w'heel mounting of a tractor or the auxiliary frame of the trailer being displaced relative to the respective main frames of the tractor or trailer by a fluid operated means so that the fifth wheel mounting or the trailer body may be moved forwardly or rearwardly.

This invention is best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, nevertheless, it must be borne in mind that the invention is not confined to the disclosure but Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the lines 3-! of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section showing the interior of a fluid-operated lifting means disposed between the auxiliary frame and the main frame.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified form of a main frame of a trailer and an auxiliary frame carried by the dual axles of the trailer with the frames being shiftable relative to each other.

Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section of an air-operated means for performing a double function.

Figure 7 is a vertical end view of the construction shown in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal side view of the auxiliary frame supported by dual axles and adjustably mounted )in the main frame of the trailer body.

Figure 9 is a similar longitudinal side view of the auxiliary and main frames in which a single axle is employed,

Figure 10 is a vertical transverse section of a fluid-operated lift for separating the frames and showing rollers carried by the lift to permit horizontal movement of the body of the trailer on the supporting auxiliary frame.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, l5 designates the longitudinal U-beams or channel bars of a frame of a tractor. Channel bars or beams l6 constituting the main elements of an auxiliary frame receive the beams ii and are shiftable thereon. A metal plate l1 connects the beams I6 together. The respective pairs of associated channel beams II and ii are retained against longitudinal shifting by pins i8 passing through openings Ila in the side walls of the channel members II and through any one of a pair of openings is formed in the channel bars It. It will be noted from Figure 1, that a plurality of the pairs of openings I! are disposed longitudinally along the bars [5 so that the auxiliary channel bars It may be positioned adjustably along the bars II. Pins Ill are emplayed for stopping the shifting of the bars it in either direction and for aligning a pair of the openings Na in said bars with the openings 19 so that the pins I! may be inserted through aligned openings. Latches 2| retain the pins in place.

Normally. the channel bars it are seated snugly on and over the channel bars I! and are held in place on the bars I! by the pins II and 20. when it is desired to move the fifth wheel mounting forwardly or to the left in Figures 1 and 2, the pins l8 and 20 must be removed. The

pins 20 are withdrawn manually while the pins 18 are moved inwardly'by a mechanism operated by air under pressure. Furthermore, the associated channel bars I! and It must be separated sufficiently to permit shifting of the frame and the attached fifth wheel mounting.

A cylinder 25 is secured to the bottom of the plate l1 midway between the opposite side edges of said plate in any approved manner. Said cylinder, more particularly illustrated in Figure 6 is employed in a similanmanner in. the modifled forms shown in Figures and 7 to 9 inclusive. A pair of opposed pistons 26 are forced towards or away from each other by air pressure which is supplied through pipes 21 and pipe 28. A rod 29 is connected to each piston and a respective pin it is attached to the outer end of each rod. A casing 30 containing a valve operated by a handle 3| controls the flow of compressed air to the cylinder by means of the pipe 28 or through the pipes 21. It is to be understood that air is supplied to the pipe 28 between the pistons 25 at all times during normal travel of the vehicle to maintain the pins II in operative positions in the aligned openings in the bars I5 and I 6. Air is supplied to the casing 30 through a pipe 32 which is in communication with a source of supply. Said supply forms normally a part of the equipment on trucks or trailers to control the brakes. The valve in the casing 30 in one position, supplies compressed air to the pipes 28,- while in a second position, air is conducted through the pipes 21.

As shown more particularly in Figures 2 to 4 inclusive, lifts 35 are positioned between the associated bars l5 and I6. Each lift (Figure 4) includes a cylinder 36 which has an annular flange 31 at its inner end bolted at 38 to the plate I! welded to the bight portions of the channel members It, there being a cylinder at each comer of the plate. Openings 39 in the plate align with the lower open ends of the cylinder and an opening 38a in each channel memher It The inner upper end of each cylinder has a depending boss I to provide an annular space with the cylindrical wall of the cylinder 36. A circular apron II on a plunger 42 rides in the space. A plurality of rollers 43 are carried by each plunger and rest on the channel memhers I i to facilitate shifting of the members I 6 on the channel members I! as will be explained. A port 44 extends through the boss ll! of each cylinder and through a gasket 45 to supply compressed air to the hollow piston 42 to force the rollers ll downwardly against the bight portions of the channel members II for raising the plate It and attached channel members It above the channel members II.

It will be noted from Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, that a pipe or flexible tubing ii of U-shaped formation connects the pipes 48 of the forwardly positioned pair of cylinders 36. Branch pipes l'l connect the rearwardly disposed cylinders with the pipe 16. while another branch pipe 48 places the pipe 36 in communication with the valve casing 30. The valve in the casing is so constructed that when compressed air is supplied to the cylinder 25 (Figure 6) at the opposite ends thereof, air is also supplied to all of the cylinders 36. However, since the pins ll present points of least resistance, they are withdrawn initially from the aligned openings in the members I! and I6, after which the members It and attached instrumentalities are raised from the members II.

The fifth wheel mounting 22 is supported on a king pin 50 rockably mounted in brackets ll bolted to the plate I! as at 52.

Referring more particularly to Figures 5, 7 and 8, it will. be seen that a modified form of the load equalizer is applied to a trailer provided canoe with dual axles. In this form, designates parallel U beams forming part of a main frame for the trailer body. These beams are nested normally in channel members 8| forming part of an auxiliary frame. Each member 6| has a pair of spaced spring hangers 62 at each end and the bight portions of said members are cut away between the hangers for a purpose which will be explained presently. A third pair of spaced hangers 63 is located intermediate the ends of each channel member with a dual axle evener 64 pivoted on a rod 65 located intermediate theends of said evener. The bight portion of each channel member between the hangers 63 is provided with an opening 66.

Pins 61 adjacent each end of the channel members are received by aligned openings 68 and 69 in the respective U beams 50 and the channel members ii for retaining said members normally against shifting movement. Stop pins 10 received by the openings 68 engage the inclined edges ll of the channel members 6! for positioning the U-beams and the channel members relative to each other after shifting movements. The pins also aid in centering the openings 68 and 69 for insertion of the pins il. Pivoted latches" retain the pins Ill in place.

Springs 13 are connected by clamps 14 to axles 15 which in turn are connected together by a torque rod I6. The outer ends of the springs are attached to the hangers 62 while the inner ends of said springs are connected to the opposite ends of the rockable member 64. A torque arm 11 has pivotal connections between each clamp 14 and an end of hangers 62. Each pair of hangers may have reinforcing plates disposed therebetween with edges of said plates being welded to the vertical edges of the spaced hangers. The channel members are connected together rigidly by transverse bars 18. The rod 65 while acting as a pivot for the rockable bar 64 also joins the members 8| together.

Lifts 8!! (Figure 10) identical in construction with the lifts 35 illustrated in Figure 4 are secured in any approved manner within the pairs of spaced hangers 62 and B3. The lifts however, are inverted so that the rollers 8| will move through openings 66 in the bight portions of the channel members ii for engagement with the' bight portions of the U beams 60 (Figures 8 and 10). Piston "a carry the rollers 8|.

Longitudinally disposed pipes 83 have the ends thereof in communication with the adjacent ends of transversely disposed cylinders 8|. A centrally and longitudinally disposed pipe 85 is in communication with the central portions of 'the cylinders for supplying compressed air between the inner ends of opposed cylinders as illustrated in Figure 6. The pipe 85 communicates with a valve casing 86 having an operating stem 81 for actuating a valve in said casing for admitting air to the casing from a source of supply. Said valve also controls the flow of air to the cylinders "either through the pipe 85 or through the pipes 83. Branch pipes 88, 89 and 90 connect the pipes It with the various lifts ill. The pins 61 are attached pivotally to the adiacently disposed piston rods 9| of the cylinders II A transverse pipe 92 connects the rear ends of the pipes with the central lifts l and the associated accessories. Thus, the channel members 98 of the auxiliary frame connected to the axle 95 by the spring 91 and torque arm 98 through the intermediary of the depending spaced hangers 98a receive the U beams 99. The other elements such as the lifts 80, the latches 12, pins Ill and pins 61 are identical in construction with the same elements "shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, since the system" employed for operating the lifts 80 and the pins 61 in Figure 10 is substantially identical with that described and illustrated in Figure 8, the same reference numerals will be applied to like parts without further description.

The operation of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive and Figure 6 is as follows: If it be desired to shift the flfth wheel mountin to the left in Figure l, the valve in the casing 30 is operated to allow compressed air to enter the lifts 35 and the opposite ends of the cylinders 25. Since the pins l8 offer the least resistance the pistons 26 will withdraw them after which the pistons 42 will be forced downwardly whereby the channel members It will be separated from the members ii. The stop pins 20 will be removed to permit the auxiliary frame to be moved forwardly. In a similar manner, the auxiliary frame'connected to the flfth wheel mounting may be moved rearwardly. The shifting of the flfth wheel mounting is accomplished by moving the tractor back or forth.

The operation of the load equalizer illustrated in Figures to 10 inclusive is as follows: The load is shifted forwardly or rearwardly in much the same manner as the fifth wheel mounting just described. when it is desired to shift the load to the'front or to the left in Figures 5, 8 and 9, the valve in the casing 86 is actuated to cause compressed air to enter the opposite ends of the cylinders N and the bottoms of the lifts 80 (Figure 10). The pins 61 are removed initially after which the U-beams 60 of the main frame are moved away from the channel members SI of the auxiliary frame. The pins III are also withdrawn. The beams 60 riding on the rollers 8| are shifted forwardly after which the pins 10 are replaced manually while the pins are returned to locking positions by regulating the valve in the casing 88 to cause the pipe 85 to supply compressed air between the pistons 26 (Figure 6).

While I have described the device as employing fluid under pressure for operating the lifts and actuating the pins, the structureis not so limited, since these devices may be readily actuated by means of air, vacuum or by means of suitable electrical power.

What I claim is:

1. A load equalizer for vehicles used in hauling trailers comprising a main frame includinga pair of parallel beams attached to the vehicle, a wheel-supported auxiliary frame including a pair of parallel channel members receiving the beams, pins removably connecting the channel members and beams together, fluid operated lifts for moving the beams and channel members away from each other, air-operated means for causing the pins to be withdrawn from the beams and channel members, and means for supplying fluid under pressure simultaneously to the lifts and air to the air-operated means.

2. A load equalizer for vehicles used in hauling trailers comprising a main frame including a pair of parallel beams attached to the vehicle,-a wheel-supported auxiliary frame including a pair of channel members receiving the beams, piniremovably connecting the channel members and beams together, fluid operated lifts for moving the beams and channel members away from each other, air-operated means for causing the pins to be withdrawn from the beams and channel members, means for supplying fluid under pressure simultaneously to the lifts and air to the air-operated means, each lift including a piston and rollers carried by the piston, said rollers being in contact with a horizontal portion of the beams so that the frames may be shifted relative to each other.

3. A load equalizer for vehicles used in hauling trailers comprising a main frame including a pair of parallel beams attached to the vehicle, a wheel-supported auxiliary frame including channel members, each channel member receiving a beam and adjustably mounted on said beam. pins passing through aligned openings in the associated beams and channel members, air-0perated means for withdrawing and returning the pins from and into the openings, lifts connected to the channel members, each lift including a fluid actuated piston, rollers on the piston engageable with the associated beam, means for supplying the lifts with fluid under pressure to cause separation of the channel members and the beams so that said beams and channel members may be moved relative to each other.

4. A load equalizer for vehicles used in hauling trailers comprising a main frame including a pair of parallel beams attached to the vehicle, a wheel-supported auxiliary frame including channel members, each channel member receiving a beam and adjustably mounted on said beam. pins passing through aligned openings in the associated beams and channel members, air-operated means for withdrawing and returning the pins from and into the openings, means connecting the channel members together for simultaneously shifting movements along the beams, lifts secured to the channel members, a fluid operated piston in each lift, rollers mounted on each piston and engageabie with an associated beam, means controlling the flow of fluid under pressure to the lifts for separating the beams and the channel members sufliciently to permit relative shifting movements between the beams and the channel members.

' 5. A load equalizer for vehicles used in hauling trailers comprising a main frame including a pair of parallel beams attached to the vehicle, a wheel-supported auxiliary frame including channel members, each channel member receiving a beam and adiustably mounted on said beam, pins passing through aligned openings in the associated beams and channel members, air-operated means for withdrawing and returning the pins from and into the openings, lifts connected to the channel members, each lift including a fluid actuated piston, rollers on the piston engageable with the associated beam, means for supplying fluid to the fluid actuated pistons to elevate the lifts to separate the channel members and the beams so that said beams and channel members may be moved relative to each other and stop pins mounted in the openings in the parallel beams and engageable with the opposite ends of the channel members for aiding in retaining said channel members in position on the beams.

6. A load equalizer for vehicles used in hauling trailers comprising a main frame including a pair of parallel beams attached to the vehicle. a wheel-supported auxiliary frame including a pair of parallel channel members receiving the beams,

pins removably connecting the channel members and beams together, actuated lifts for moving the beams and channel members away from each other, means for withdrawing and returning the pins to; the beams and channel members, and means for simultaneously-actuating the lifts and the means for withdrawing the pins.

7. A movable load equalizer for vehicles used in hauling trailers comprising a main frame including a pair of parallel beams attached to the vehicle, a wheel supported auxiliary frame including a pair of parallel channel members receiving the beams, fastening means removably connecting the channel members and beams together, actuated lifts fr moving the beams (and channel members away grom each other, means for withdrawing and returning the fastening means to the beams and channel members and means. for simultaneously actuating the lifts and the means for withdrawing said fastening means.

8. In a vehicle having a pair of parallel beams, an auxiliary frame including a pair of channel members receiving the beams, said auxiliary frame being longitudinally movable for adjustment relative to said beams, a fifth wheel carried by said auxiliary frame, fastening means for connecting said auxiliary frame to said beams, actuated lifts for moving the beams and channel members away from each other, means for withdrawing and returning said fastening means to the beams and channel members, and means for simultaneously actuating the lifts and the means for withdrawing the fastening means.

MANFORD S. DE LAY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,450,554 Kreissle Apr. 3, 1923 1,621,555 Miller Mar. 22, 1927 2,197,401 Weber Apr. 16, 1940 2,332,326 Lex Oct. 19, 194 

